Effects of Paliperidone in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This study has been withdrawn prior to enrollment.

Sponsor:

Yale University

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT00766064

First Posted: October 3, 2008

Last Update Posted: August 23, 2016

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Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder and treatment response to pharmacological interventions has been modest for these patients. Chronic elevated anxiety and associated psychophysiological parameters including increased heart rate and alterations in skin conductance are key symptoms of chronic PTSD. Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) or norepinephrine-serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are considered treatment of first choice for these patients, however a substantial portion of patients do not respond sufficiently (Zhang and Davidson 2007). Therefore, there is a need to establish novel and effective add-on treatment strategies for these patients. Recently, atypical neuroleptics have received considerable attention since it was shown in multiple controlled and naturalistic trials that these medications are an effective treatment option for patients with PTSD (Davis et al 2006). In chronic PTSD, the psychophysiological responses at baseline and in response to treatment have yet been inadequately studied and may provide novel insight into antidepressant and anxiolytic mechanisms of medications used in the treatment of PTSD. Therefore, in addition to evaluating the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of paliperidone, a novel atypical neuroleptic, in the treatment of PTSD, we also aim to compare neurophysiological responses at baseline with post-treatment effects in antidepressant-refractory PTSD patients.

Primary Aim 1: Evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of paliperidone in patients with PTSD.

*Criteria to increase the dose from 3 mg to 6 mg daily are 1] absence of any side effects, 2] patients not showing a sufficient response to 3 mg paliperidone can be increased to 6 mg daily. Response is defined as change in depression and anxiety ratings of at least 30% compared to baseline.

Other Name: Invega

Eligibility

Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 65 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

willingness to participate in a naturalistic treatment study using paliperidone and in two fear conditioning tests, one at baseline and one at the end of the 6 weeks treatment study.

We will include PTSD subjects on medications (possible medications include antidepressants, benzodiazepines) who have no or only partial treatment response. Paliperidone will be added to the existing treatment regime which will remain unchanged during the study period. PTSD subjects will have a minimum score of 50 on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS; Blake et al, 1995).